Hey Zeb heads
I have been experimenting with cameras and fish for quite some time and would ike to share with you all some techniques/ideas I have used over ther years.
In the past I have used transparent bowls/caves, filming from the bottom,sides and back of my tanks at one time or other. All in hopes of catching some RARE PRIVATE action that few have seen .
For example...
Heres a rare Video I took years ago ...Spawning F0 Synodontis Petricola.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTvlZN7EFVY
Synos hate light as zebs do and are very secretive... especially F0s.
But heres how I got this video.
I first got them use to a bit of light, gradually increasing it. I also offered a clear bowl for them to get use to. Well the rest is history as you can see from the video. The result is Clear and unobscured view of something very rarely seen.
Heres a DIY Cave CAM I made. .. A CDN penny in the cave for reference.
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1 ... aveCam.jpg' width=352 height=288 >
This is the Back DOOR CAVE CAM. I am also working on a bottom cave cam where the camera view is from the bottom/floor of cave. Obviously you must have a stand that allows you to see from bottom, such as a wrought iron stand.
The principle is simple really. Make a cave with no back on it. Place it up tight and flush against the glass in your tank. I use the side of my tank but you can use any side as long as its scratch free..
The camera is going outside the tank looking into cave from the back. Now.. All you need is to do is block the light at the cameras end. I do this by enclosing the camera in a box. I just used cardboard and heavy black plastic and black electrical tape.
The front of the box is cut away and flushed up tight against the outside glass then taped around the seems so no light gets in. The back of the box is also light proofed. Make sure you make the box big enough that you can move the camera either closer or further away from glass to get a good focus. I'M just using a cheap web cam, but it will certainly do the trick. Perhaps someday it take the guess work out of ...Hmmm wonder if he's guarding eggs.
I have not set the camera up in my breeding tank as my caves are not in proper place. No need to disrupt/move things to install camera. I think I will put the cave cam on the young ones.
So there ya have it ya have it. A camera in a cube with one side open. Thats all it is. You will have to get some kind of lighting at the end of the cave so you can see in.. I am currently using a cheap novelty pet store light on a wire to light the cave. You really want to shoot for light in the distance so to speak.
I think a White LED Light shining down in front of cave (not in) would beset choice.. With More light the more you will see. Not too much light as it will stress your fish out in short order. Play with light angles and intensity for best results.
happy Cam caving
Peace
Troy
CAVE CAM ...See your Babies All the time
- andrewcoxon
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